Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to reagent preparing devices and reagent preparing
methods, and in particular to a reagent preparing device and a reagent preparing method
capable of preparing a reagent to use in the measurement of a specimen.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A reagent preparing device capable of preparing a reagent to use in the measurement
of a specimen is conventionally known (see e.g., Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication
No.
1-167660).
[0003] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.
1-167660 discloses a reagent preparing device capable of preparing a reagent to use in the
measurement by an analysis instrument by mixing concentrated solution and pure water
in a stirring tank.
[0005] US Patent Application Publication 2004-057872 discloses an automatic analyzer for aspirating a reagent from a reagent cassette
on a reagent table arranged at a predetermined aspiration position, and measuring
a specimen using the aspirated reagent. The automatic analyzer is configured to monitor
the expiration date of the reagent accommodated in the reagent cassette on the reagent
table, and discharging the reagent cassette accommodating the relevant reagent from
the reagent table if the reagent is expired.
[0006] In order to enhance the reliability of the analysis result of the specimen, the reagent
is preferably used within a predetermined expiration date after being prepared. However,
in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.
1-167660, a technique for using the prepared reagent within the expiration date is not disclosed
nor suggested. Furthermore,
US Patent Application Publication 2004-057872 describes an automatic analyzer for monitoring the expiration date of the reagent
accommodated in the reagent cassette on the reagent table, but does not disclose nor
suggest applying the monitoring of the expiration date of the reagent to the reagent
preparing device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims, and
is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary.
[0008] A first aspect of the present invention is a reagent preparing device for preparing
a reagent to be supplied to a measurement section for measuring a specimen; the reagent
preparing device comprising: a reagent preparing section for preparing a reagent including
a first liquid and a second liquid, different from the first liquid; a reagent storage
container, connected to the measurement section, for storing the reagent prepared
by the reagent preparing section; and a controller configured for determining whether
or not the reagent stored in the reagent storage container is suppliable to the measurement
section based on reagent expiration date information related to an expiration date
of the reagent stored in the reagent storage container.
[0009] In the reagent preparing device according to a first aspect of the present invention,
since a predetermined prepared reagent that is not suited for analysis in terms of
expiration date can be determined as not being suppliable to the measurement section,
the reagent is prevented from being supplied to a measurement section.
[0010] The first aspect of the reagent preparing device of the present invention may further
comprise a liquid expiration date information obtainer for acquiring liquid expiration
date information related to an expiration date of the first liquid; wherein the controller
may generate the reagent expiration date information based on the liquid expiration
date information acquired by the liquid expiration date information obtainer, and
may determine whether or not the reagent stored in the reagent storage container is
suppliable to the measurement section based on the generated reagent expiration date
information.
[0011] The expiration date of the predetermined prepared reagent can be easily managed based
on the liquid expiration date information related to the expiration date of the first
liquid.
[0012] The first aspect of the reagent preparing device of the present invention may further
comprise a flow-in sensor for detecting flow-in of the reagent to the reagent storage
container; wherein the controller may comprise a memory for storing the reagent expiration
date information, and update the reagent expiration date information stored in the
memory when the flow-in of the reagent to the reagent storage container is detected
by the flow-in sensor.
[0013] The expiration date information of the predetermined prepared reagent can be easily
managed.
[0014] In the first aspect of the reagent preparing device, the reagent preparing section
may intermittently prepare the reagents; the reagent storage container may simultaneously
store the reagents prepared at different times by the reagent preparing section; the
memory may store the reagent expiration date information for the respective reagent
prepared at different times; the reagent expiration date information may include the
liquid expiration date information; and the controller may select the liquid expiration
date information having the oldest expiration date from the plurality of reagent expiration
date information stored in the memory, and determine whether or not the reagent stored
in the reagent storage container is suppliable to the measurement section based on
the selected liquid expiration date information.
[0015] The predetermined prepared reagent that is not suited for analysis in terms of expiration
date is prevented from being supplied to the measurement section even when the predetermined
reagent prepared at different times coexist and are stored in a reagent storage container.
[0016] In the first aspect of the reagent preparing device, the reagent expiration date
information may include the liquid expiration date information; and the controller
may determine that the reagent stored in the reagent storage container cannot be supplied
to the measurement section if the first liquid used in the preparation of the reagent
stored in the reagent storage container is not valid based on the liquid expiration
date information.
[0017] The predetermined prepared reagent prepared using the first liquid that is not suited
for analysis as it is expired can be easily prevented from being supplied to the measurement
section.
[0018] In the first aspect of the reagent preparing device, the liquid expiration date information
may include post-opening expiration date of the first liquid.
[0019] The predetermined prepared reagent prepared using the first liquid of which the expiration
date is still valid if before opening but is no longer valid if after opening can
be easily prevented from being supplied to the measurement section.
[0020] In the first aspect of the reagent preparing device, the liquid expiration date information
may include pre-opening expiration date and the post-opening expiration date of the
first liquid; and the controller may determine whether or not the reagent stored in
the reagent storage container is suppliable to the measurement section based on the
pre-opening expiration date and the post-opening expiration date.
[0021] The predetermined prepared reagent prepared using the first liquid in which at least
one of the expiration date before opening or the expiration date after opening is
no longer valid can be easily prevented from being supplied to the measurement section.
[0022] The first aspect of the reagent preparing device may further comprise a reagent discarding
section for discarding the reagent stored in the reagent storage container; wherein
the controller may control the reagent discarding section so as to discard the reagent
stored in the reagent storage container when determining that the reagent stored in
the reagent storage container is not suppliable to the measurement section.
[0023] The predetermined reagent stored in the reagent storage container is automatically
discarded, and thus the user of the reagent preparing device does not need to discharge
the reagent stored in the reagent storage container.
[0024] In the first aspect of the reagent preparing device, the reagent preparing section
may include a liquid storage container, connected to the reagent storage container,
for storing a predetermined liquid including at least the first liquid; and the controller
may determine whether or not the predetermined liquid stored in the liquid storage
container is suppliable to the reagent storage container based on the liquid expiration
date information related to the expiration date of the first liquid.
[0025] The preparation of the reagent using a predetermined liquid that is not suited for
analysis in terms of expiration date can be prevented.
[0026] The first aspect of the reagent preparing device may further comprise a liquid discarding
section for discarding the predetermined liquid stored in the liquid storage container;
wherein the controller may control the liquid discarding section so as to discard
the predetermined liquid stored in the liquid storage container when determining that
the predetermined liquid stored in the liquid storage container is not suppliable
to the reagent storage container.
[0027] A predetermined liquid that is not suited for analysis in terms of expiration date
is prevented from being supplied to the reagent storage container, and hence contamination
of the reagent storage container can be prevented.
[0028] The first aspect of the reagent preparing device may further comprise: a supply section
for supplying the predetermined liquid from the liquid storage container to the reagent
storage container; wherein the controller may control the supply section to supply
the predetermined liquid from the liquid storage container to the reagent storage
container after the reagent stored in the reagent storage container has been discarded
by the reagent discarding section when determining that the reagent stored in the
reagent storage container cannot be supplied to the measurement section and that the
predetermined liquid stored in the liquid storage container can be supplied to the
reagent storage container.
[0029] A predetermined liquid in the liquid storage container that does not have any problems
in terms of expiration date is suppressed from becoming a waste.
[0030] In the first aspect of the reagent preparing device, the reagent preparing section
may prepare the reagent as a diluting solution for diluting a specimen.
[0031] In the first aspect of the reagent preparing device, the reagent preparing section
may include a pure water container for storing pure water, a pre-diluted reagent storage
container for storing pre-diluted reagent, and a mixer for mixing the pure water and
the pre-diluted reagent.
[0032] A second aspect of the present invention is a reagent preparing method for preparing
a reagent to be supplied to a measurement section for measuring a specimen, the method
comprising: preparing a reagent including a first liquid and a second liquid, different
from the first liquid; storing the prepared reagent in a reagent storage container
connected to the measurement section; and determining whether or not the reagent stored
in the reagent storage container is suppliable to the measurement section based on
reagent expiration date information related to an expiration date of the reagent stored
in the reagent storage container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF.THE DRAWINGS
[0033]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a usage state of a reagent preparing device according
to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a blood specimen processing system
including the reagent preparing device according to the first embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a view describing a sample preparing unit of the blood specimen processing
system including the reagent preparing device according to the first embodiment shown;
Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing a detection unit of the blood specimen processing
system including the reagent preparing device according to the first embodiment shown;
Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data processing section of
the blood specimen processing system including the reagent preparing device according
to the first embodiment;
Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the reagent preparing device
according to the first embodiment shown;
Fig. 7 is a block diagram explaining a control unit of the reagent preparing device
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a view describing a barcode reader of the reagent preparing device according
to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a flowchart describing a high concentration reagent information acquisition
processing operation of the reagent preparing device according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a screen view describing the high concentration reagent information acquisition
processing operation of the reagent preparing device according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
Fig. 11 is a screen view describing the high concentration reagent information acquisition
processing operation of the reagent preparing device according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
Fig. 12 is a flowchart explaining the reagent preparation processing operation of
the reagent preparing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 13 is a flowchart explaining the reagent preparation processing operation of
the reagent preparing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 14 is a flowchart describing the supply processing operation of the high concentration
reagent and the RO water in step S25 of the reagent preparation processing operation
shown in Fig. 12;
Fig. 15 is a flowchart describing an update processing operation of a reagent chamber
information table of the reagent preparing device according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
Fig. 16 is a flowchart describing an update processing operation of a diluting chamber
information table A (B), a stirring chamber information table, and a supply chamber
information table of the reagent preparing device according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
Fig. 17 is a flowchart describing an expiration date monitor processing operation
of the reagent preparing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 18 is a flowchart explaining an RO water automatic discharge processing operation
of the reagent preparing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing a usage mode of a reagent preparing device according
to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 20 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reagent preparing device according
to the second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 21 is a block diagram explaining a variant of the reagent preparing device according
to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and the second embodiment shown in Fig. 19.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter
with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
[0035] First, a configuration of a reagent preparing device 4 according to a first embodiment
of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.1 to 8. In the first
embodiment, a case of using the reagent preparing device 4 according to the first
embodiment of the present invention as one part of a blood sample processing system
for performing a blood test will be described.
[0036] As shown in Fig. 1, the blood specimen processing system 1 is configured by a measurement
section 2 having a function of measuring the blood, a data processing section 3 for
analyzing the measurement data output from the measurement section 2 and obtaining
an analysis result, and the reagent preparing device 4 for preparing a reagent to
use in the processing of a specimen. The measurement section 2 is configured to perform
measurements on white blood cells, reticulocytes, and blood platelets in the blood
through a flow cytometry method. The measurement section 2 is configured to dilute
the blood using a reagent prepared and supplied by the reagent preparing device 4
and to perform measurements on white blood cells, red blood cells, reticulocytes,
and blood platelets. The measurement section 2 is also configured to clean a sampling
valve 21b, a reaction chamber 21c and the like arranged in a sample preparing unit
21, as well as a sheath flow cell 22c and the like arranged in a detection unit 22,
which are to be hereinafter described, using the reagent prepared and supplied by
the reagent preparing device 4 as a cleaning fluid. The flow cytometry method is a
measurement method of particles (blood cells) for detecting the forward scattered
light, the lateral scattered light, and the lateral fluorescence emitted by the particles
(blood cells) in the measurement sample by forming a sample flow including the measurement
sample and irradiating the sample flow with laser light.
[0037] As shown in Fig. 2, the measurement section 2 includes a measurement sample preparing
unit 21, a detection unit 22 for performing a measurement of the measurement sample,
an analog processing unit 23 with respect to the output of the detection unit 22,
a display/operation unit 24, and a microcomputer 25 for controlling the measurement
section 2.
[0038] The measurement sample preparing unit 21 is arranged to prepare a white blood cell
measurement sample, a reticulocyte measurement sample, and a blood platelet measurement
sample. As shown in Fig. 3, the measurement sample preparing unit 21 includes the
sampling valve 21b for aspirating blood and the reaction chamber 21c. A blood collecting
tube 21a stores the blood to be analyzed.
[0039] The sampling valve 21b has a function of quantifying the blood of the blood collecting
tube 21a aspirated by an aspiration pipette (not shown) by a predetermined amount.
The sampling valve 21b is configured so that a predetermined reagent can be mixed
with the aspirated blood. That is, the sampling valve 21b is configured so that a
diluted sample in which a predetermined amount of reagent supplied from the reagent
preparing device 4 is mixed in a predetermined amount of blood can be generated.
[0040] The reaction chamber 21c is configured so that a predetermined staining fluid is
further mixed to the diluted sample supplied from the sampling valve 21b and reacts
with it for a predetermined time. The measurement sample preparing unit 21 thus has
a function of preparing the white blood cell measurement sample in which the white
blood cells are stained and the red blood cells are hemolyzed. The measurement sample
preparing unit 21 also has a function of preparing the reticulocyte measurement sample
in which the reticulocyte is stained and a function of preparing the blood platelet
measurement sample in which the blood platelet is stained.
[0041] The measurement sample preparing unit 21 is also configured to supply the white blood
cell measurement sample with the sheath liquid from the measurement sample preparing
unit 21 to the sheath flow cell 22c described later (see Fig. 4) at the time of a
white blood cell differential measurement (hereinafter also referred to as "DIFF measurement")
mode. The measurement sample preparing unit 21 is also configured to supply the reticulocyte
measurement sample with the sheath liquid from the measurement sample preparing unit
21 to the sheath flow cell 22c at the time of a reticulocyte measurement (hereinafter
also referred to as "RET measurement") mode. Furthermore, the measurement sample preparing
unit 21 is also configured to supply the blood platelet measurement sample with the
sheath liquid from the measurement sample preparing unit 21 to the sheath flow cell
22c at the time of a blood platelet measurement (hereinafter also referred to as "PLT
measurement") mode.
[0042] As shown in Fig. 4, the detection unit 22 includes a light emitting portion 22a for
emitting laser light, an irradiation lens unit 22b, the sheath flow cell 22c irradiated
with laser light, a light collecting lens 22d arranged on an extended line in a direction
the laser light emitted from the light emitting potion 22a advances, a pin hole 22e
and a PD (Photo Diode) 22f, a light collecting lens 22g arranged in a direction intersecting
the direction the laser light emitted from the light emitting portion 22a advances,
a dichroic mirror 22h, an optical filter 22i, a pin hole 22j and an APD (Avalanche
Photo Diode) 22k, and a PD 221 arranged at the side of the dichroic mirror 22h.
[0043] The light emitting portion 22a is arranged to emit light to the sample flow including
the measurement sample that passes the inside of the sheath flow cell 22c. The irradiation
lens unit 22b is arranged to convert the light emitted from the light emitting portion
22a to parallel light. The PD 22f is arranged to receive the forward scattered light
output from the sheath flow cell 22c. The information on the size of the particle
(blood cell) in the measurement sample can be obtained from the forward scattered
light output from the sheath flow cell 22c.
[0044] The dichroic mirror 22h is arranged to separate the lateral scattered light and the
lateral fluorescence output from the sheath flow cell 22c. Specifically, the dichroic
mirror 22h is arranged to have the lateral scattered light output from the sheath
flow cell 22c enter to the PD 221, and to have the lateral fluorescence output from
the sheath flow cell 22c enter to the APD 22k. The PD 221 is arranged to receive the
lateral scattered light. Internal information, for example, the size of the core of
the particle (blood cell) in the measurement sample can be obtained from the lateral
scattered light output from the sheath flow cell 22c. The APD 22k is arranged to receive
the lateral fluorescence. Information on the staining degree of the particle (blood
cell) in the measurement sample can be obtained from the lateral fluorescence output
from the sheath flow cell 22c. The PD 22f, 221, and the APD 22k respectively have
a function of converting the received optical signal to an electrical signal.
[0045] As shown in Fig. 4, the analog processing unit 23 includes amplifiers 23a, 23b, and
23c. The amplifiers 23a, 23b, and 23c are respectively arranged to perform amplification
and waveform processing on the electrical signal output from the PD 22f, 221, and
the APD 22k.
[0046] As shown in Fig. 2, the microcomputer 25 includes a control portion 251 including
a control processor and a memory for operating the control processor, an A/D converter
252 for converting a signal output from the analog processing unit 23 to a digital
signal, and a calculating portion 253 for performing a predetermined process on the
digital signal output from the A/D converter 252.
[0047] The control portion 251 has a function of controlling the measurement sample preparing
unit 21 and the detection unit 22 through a bus 254a and an interface 255a. The control
portion 251 is connected with the display/operation unit 24 through the bus 254a and
an interface 255b, and connected with the data processing section 3 through a bus
254b and an interface 255c. The calculating portion 253 has a function of outputting
a calculation result to the control portion 251 through an interface 255d and the
bus 254a. The control portion 251 has a function of transmitting the calculation result
(measurement data) to the data processing section 3.
[0048] As shown in Fig. 1, the data processing section 3 includes a personal computer (PC)
and the like, and has a function of analyzing the measurement data of the measurement
section 2 and displaying the analysis result. The data processing section 3 includes
a control unit 31, a display unit 32, and an input device 33, as shown in Fig. 5.
[0049] The control unit 31 has a function of transmitting a measurement start signal including
the measurement mode information and a shutdown signal to the measurement section
2. As shown in Fig. 5, the control unit 31 is also configured by a CPU 31a, a ROM
31b, a RAM 31c, a hard disc 31d, a readout device 31e, an input/output interface 31f,
an image output interface 31g and a communication interface 31i. The CPU 31a, the
ROM 31b, the RAM 31c, the hard disc 31d, the readout device 31e, the input/output
interface 31f, the image output interface 31g and the communication interface 31i
are connected by a bus 31h.
[0050] The CPU 31a is arranged to execute computer programs stored in the ROM 31b and the
computer programs loaded in the RAM 31c. The ROM 31b is configured by mask ROM, PROM,
EPROM, EEPROM, and the like, and is recorded with computer programs to be executed
by the CPU 31a, data used for the same, and the like.
[0051] The RAM 31c is configured by SRAM, DRAM and the like. The RAM 31c is used to read
out the computer programs recorded on the ROM 31b and the hard disc 31d. The RAM 31c
is used as a work region of the CPU 31a when executing the computer programs.
[0052] The hard disc 31d is installed with various computer programs to be executed by the
CPU 31a such as operating system and application program, as well as data used in
executing the computer program. The application program 34a described later is also
installed in the hard disc 31d.
[0053] The readout device 31e is configured by flexible disc drive, CD-ROM drive, DVD-ROM
drive and the like, and is able to read out computer programs and data recorded on
a portable recording medium 34. The application program 34a causing the computer to
implement a predetermined function is stored in the portable recording medium 34.
The computer serving as the data processing section 3 reads out the application program
34a from the portable recording medium 34, and installs the application program 34a
to the hard disc 31d. The application program 34a includes an analyzing program for
analyzing the specimen measured in the measurement section, and outputting the analysis
result as an analysis result of the specimen. The application program 34a also includes
software having a function serving as a clock, and the analyzing program outputs the
analysis result with the measurement time of the specimen corresponded to the analysis
result.
[0054] The application program 34a is not only provided by the portable recording medium
34, and may be provided through an electrical communication line (wired or wireless)
from external devices communicably connected with the data processing section 3 by
the electrical communication line. For instance, the application program 34a may be
stored in the hard disc of the server computer on the Internet, wherein the data processing
section 3 can access the server computer to download the application program 34a and
install the application program 34a in the hard disc 31d.
[0055] Operating system providing graphical user interface environment such as Windows (registered
trademark) manufactured and sold by US Microsoft Co. is installed in the hard disc
31d.In the following description, the application program 34a according to the first
embodiment is assumed to be operating on the operating system.
[0056] The input/output interface 31f is configured by serial interface such as USB, IEEE1394
and RS-232C; parallel interface such as SCSI, IDE and IEEE1284; analog interface such
as a D/A converter and an A/D converter, and the like. The input device 33 including
a keyboard and a mouse is connected to the input/output interface 31f, so that the
user can input data to the data processing section 3 using the input device 33. The
user can also select the measurement mode, and activate and shut down the measurement
section 2 using the input device 33.
[0057] The image output interface 31g is connected to the display unit 32 configured by
LCD, CRT or the like, and is configured to output a video signal corresponding to
the image data provided from the CPU 31a to the display unit 32. The display unit
32 displays the image (screen) according to the input video signal.
[0058] The reagent preparing device 4 is arranged to prepare the reagent to use in a measurement
sample preparing unit 21 of the measurement section 2. Specifically, the reagent preparing
device 4 is configured to prepare the reagent to use for blood analysis by diluting
the high concentration reagent to a desired concentration using the RO water produced
by the RO water producing unit 7 arranged at the exterior. The RO water is one type
of pure water and is water in which impurities are removed by being transmitted through
an RO (Reverse Osmosis) membrane (reverse osmosis membrane). Other than the RO water,
the pure water includes purified water, deionized water and distilled water, and is
water subjected to the process of removing impurities, and the purity is not particularly
limited. The high concentration reagent is an undiluted solution of the reagent, and
has higher concentration of the contained component than the reagent supplied to the
measurement section 2.
[0059] As shown in Fig. 6, the reagent preparing device 4 includes a high concentration
reagent chamber 41, a RO water chamber 42, two diluting chambers 43 and 44, two diaphragm
pumps 45a and 45b, a stirring chamber 46, a supply chamber 47, a display unit 48,
a control unit 49 for controlling each unit of the reagent preparing device 4, and
a barcode reader 50 (see Fig. 1). The reagent preparing device 4 also includes a pneumatic
unit 6 (see Fig. 1) installed at the exterior of the housing, and is configured to
send each liquid in the device using negative pressure and positive pressure supplied
from the pneumatic unit 6. The pneumatic unit 6 includes a negative pressure source
61 for supplying negative pressure and a positive pressure source 62 for supplying
positive pressure to the reagent preparing device 4.
[0060] The high concentration reagent chamber 41 is configured to supply the high concentration
reagent from a high concentration reagent tank 5. The high concentration reagent chamber
41 includes a float switch 100 for detecting that a predetermined amount of high concentration
reagent is stored in the chamber. The float switch 100 is configured such that the
float portion moves up and down according to the liquid amount (liquid level) in the
high concentration reagent chamber 41. Each unit is controlled by the control unit
49 such that the high concentration reagent is supplied from the high concentration
reagent tank 5 to the high concentration reagent chamber 41 when the float portion
of the float switch 100 reaches the lower limit. Furthermore, each unit is controlled
by the control unit 49 such that the supply of the high concentration reagent from
the high concentration reagent tank 5 to the high concentration reagent chamber 41
is stopped when the float portion of the float switch 100 reaches the upper limit.
The float switch 100 is arranged near the upper end of the high concentration reagent
chamber 41, and is configured such that the float portion reaches the upper limit
when about 300 mL of the high concentration reagent is stored in the high concentration
reagent chamber 41. The high concentration reagent is thus supplied such that about
300 mL is stored in the high concentration reagent chamber 41 on a constant basis.
[0061] The high concentration reagent chamber 41 is connected to the high concentration
reagent tank 5 through an electromagnetic valve 200, and is connected to the negative
pressure source 61 of the pneumatic unit 6 through an electromagnetic valve 201. The
high concentration reagent chamber 41 is also configured to be opened to atmosphere
or closed by the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 202. The high concentration
reagent chamber 41 is connected to a flow path 301 for transferring the liquid from
the diaphragm pump 45a (45b) to the diluting chamber 43 (44) by the flow path 300.
An electromagnetic valve 203 is arranged on the flow path 300, which electromagnetic
valve 203 is arranged near the flow path 301. Specifically, the length of the flow
path 300a between the electromagnetic valve 203 and the flow path 301 is set to a
small length of about 15 mm. The flow path 300 (300a) connected to the high concentration
reagent chamber 41 has an inner diameter of about 1.8 mm, and the flow path 301 has
an inner diameter of about 4.0 mm.
[0062] The high concentration reagent chamber 41 is configured to discard the high concentration
reagent in the chamber. Specifically, the high concentration reagent 41 is connected
to a discard flow path through an electromagnetic valve 222, so that the high concentration
reagent inside is discharged to the discard flow path by opening the electromagnetic
valves 202 and 222. The discard flow path of the high concentration reagent is branched
from the flow path 300.
[0063] The RO water chamber 42 is configured such that the RO water for diluting the high
concentration reagent is supplied from the RO water producing unit 7.
[0064] The RO water chamber 42 includes float switches 101 and 102 for detecting that the
RO water stored in the chamber has reached the upper limit amount and the lower limit
amount, respectively. The float switch 101 (102) is configured such that the float
portion moves up and down according to the liquid amount (liquid level) in the RO
water chamber 42. Each unit is controlled by the control unit 49 such that the supply
of RO water from the RO water producing unit 7 to the RO water chamber 42 is stopped
when the float portion of the float switch 101 reaches the position corresponding
to the upper limit amount. Furthermore, each unit is controlled by the control unit
49 such that the RO water is supplied from the RO water producing unit 7 to the RO
water chamber 42 when the float portion of the float switch 102 reaches the position
corresponding to the lower limit amount.
[0065] The float switch 101 is arranged near the upper end of the RO water chamber 42, and
is configured such that the float portion reaches the position corresponding to the
upper limit amount of the RO water chamber 42 when about 600 mL of the RO water is
stored in the RO water chamber 42. The float switch 102 is configured such that the
float portion reaches the position corresponding to the lower limit amount of the
RO water chamber 42 when the RO water stored in the RO water chamber 42 reduces to
about 300 mL. The RO water of greater than or equal to about 300 mL and less than
or equal to about 600 mL is thus stored in the RO water chamber 42 while the reagent
preparing device 4 is operating.
[0066] The RO water chamber 42 is configured so that the RO water in the chamber can be
discarded. Specifically, the RO water chamber 42 is connected to the positive pressure
source 62 through the electromagnetic valve 204 and connected to a discard flow path
through the electromagnetic valve 205, so that the RO water inside is pushed out to
the discard flow path by the positive pressure force by opening both electromagnetic
valves 204 and 205. The RO water chamber 42 is configured to be opened to atmosphere
and closed by the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 206.The RO water
chamber 42 is connected to the RO water storage tank 7a, to be hereinafter described,
of the RO water producing unit 7 through the electromagnetic valve 207. The RO water
chamber 42 is connected to the diaphragm pumps 45a and 45b by the flow path 302 through
the electromagnetic valve 208.
[0067] The diluting chambers 43 and 44 are respectively arranged to dilute the high concentration
reagent with the RO water. As hereinafter described, the diluting chamber 43 (44)
is configured to store about 300 mL of liquid (mixed solution of high concentration
reagent and RO water) sent by the diaphragm pumps 45a and 45b. The diluting chamber
43 (44) includes a float switch 103 (104) for detecting that the remaining amount
of the liquid (mixed solution of high concentration reagent and RO water) stored in
the chamber has reached a predetermined amount. The float switch 103 (104) is configured
such that the float portion moves up and down according to the liquid amount (liquid
level) in the diluting chamber 43 (44). The diluting chamber 43 (44) is configured
so as to be always opened to atmosphere.
[0068] The diluting chamber 43 (44) is connected to the flow path 301 by the flow path 303
(304) through the electromagnetic valve 209 (210). The flow path 303 (304) has an
inner diameter of about 4 mm, similar to the flow path 301. The liquid (RO water and
high concentration reagent) transferred through the flow path 301 can be transferred
to the diluting chamber 43 by opening the electromagnetic valve 209 with the electromagnetic
valve 210 closed. The liquid (RO water and high concentration reagent) transferred
through the flow path 301 can be transferred to the diluting chamber 44 by opening
the electromagnetic valve 210 with the electromagnetic valve 209 closed. In other
words, the electromagnetic valves 209 and 210 are respectively configured to function
as a flow path switching unit of the flow paths 303 and 304.
[0069] The diluting chamber 43 (44) is connected to the stirring chamber 46 through the
electromagnetic valve 211 (212). An air bubble sensor 400 (401) is arranged between
the diluting chamber 43 (44) and the electromagnetic valve 211 (212). The air bubble
sensor 400 (401) is a transmissive sensor, and is configured to detect air bubbles
that pass the flow path. That the liquid (mixed solution of high concentration reagent
and RO water) in the diluting chamber 43 (44) are all discharged can be checked by
the control unit 49 when the float portion of the float switch 103 (104) reaches the
lower limit and the air bubbles are detected by the air bubble sensor 400 (401). When
the diluting chamber 43 (44) becomes empty (all liquid in the chamber is discharged),
each unit is controlled by the control unit 49 so that the high concentration reagent
and the RO water are supplied to the empty diluting chamber 43 (44).
[0070] The diaphragm pumps 45a and 45b have similar configuration with respect to each other,
and are configured to perform the same operation at the same time. The diaphragm pump
45a (45b) has a function of quantifying the liquid (high concentration reagent or
RO water) by about 6 mL (total of about 12 mL with two pumps) (constant amount) in
one quantifying operation. The diaphragm pump 45a (45b) is connected to the negative
pressure source 61 through the electromagnetic valve 213 (215), and also connected
to the positive pressure source 62 through the electromagnetic valve 214 (216). The
high concentration reagent chamber 41, the RO water chamber 42, the diaphragm pumps
45a and 45b, the pneumatic unit, the flow paths 300 to 304, and the electromagnetic
valves 200 to 210 and 213 to 216 configure a liquid quantifying unit 51 (see Fig.
6) of the reagent preparing device 4.
[0071] As shown in Fig. 6, the stirring chamber 46 is configured to accommodate about 300
mL of liquid, and is arranged to stir the liquid (mixed solution of high concentration
reagent and RO water) transferred from the diluting chamber 43 (44). Specifically,
the stirring chamber 46 includes a bent pipe 461, and is configured so that the liquid
(mixed solution of high concentration reagent and RO water) transferred from the diluting
chamber 43 (44) flows into the stirring chamber 46 along the inner wall surface of
the stirring chamber 46 by passing the pipe 461. The liquid (mixed solution of high
concentration reagent and RO water) transferred from the diluting chamber 43 (44)
thus flows along the inner wall surface of the stirring chamber 46, whereby convention
occurs and the high concentration reagent and the RO water are easily stirred. The
high concentration reagent and the RO water are stirred to a certain extent in the
diluting chamber 43 (44) and in the flow path from the diluting chamber 43 (44) to
the stirring chamber 46, but the solution is more reliably stirred by configuring
the stirring chamber 46 in the above manner.
[0072] The stirring chamber 46 includes a float switch 105 for detecting that the remaining
amount of the liquid (mixed solution of high concentration reagent and RO water) accommodated
in the chamber has reached a predetermined amount. The float switch 105 is configured
such that the float portion moves up and down according to the liquid amount (liquid
level) in the stirring chamber 46. Each unit is controlled by the control unit 49
such that about 300 mL of mixed solution is supplied from either diluting chamber
43 or 44 to the stirring chamber 46 when the float portion of the float switch 105
reaches the lower limit and the interior of the chamber becomes empty. When the mixed
solution supplied from either diluting chamber 43 or 44 and stirred is discharged
from the stirring chamber 46, about 300 mL of mixed solution is then supplied from
the other diluting chamber 43 or 44 to the stirring chamber 46. The stirring chamber
46 is connected to the negative pressure source 61 through the electromagnetic valve
217, and connected to the positive pressure source 62 through the electromagnetic
valve 218.
[0073] The supply chamber 47 is arranged to store a predetermined amount of reagent to supply
to the measurement section 2. The supply chamber 47 has an accommodation amount of
about 600 mL. The supply chamber 47 includes a float switch 106 for detecting that
the remaining amount of reagent stored in the chamber has reached about 300 mL. The
supply chamber 47 also includes a float switch 107 for detecting that the remaining
amount of reagent stored in the supply chamber 47 is substantially zero. The float
switch 106 (107) is configured such that the float portion moves up and down according
to the liquid amount (liquid level) in the supply chamber 47. The float portion of
the float switch 106 is configured to be movable from the vicinity of the upper end
in the height direction of the supply chamber 47 to the intermediate position. Each
unit is controlled by the control unit 49 so that about 300 mL of reagent of the desired
concentration is supplied from the stirring chamber 46 to the supply chamber 47 when
the float portion of the float switch 106 reaches the intermediate position in the
height direction of the supply chamber 47 (lower limit position in the movable range
of the float portion of the float switch 106). The reagent of desired concentration
of greater than or equal to about 300 mL and less than or equal to about 600 mL is
stored in the supply chamber 47 on a constant basis. The reagent can be rapidly supplied
to the measurement section 2 according to the supply instruction by storing a predetermined
amount of reagent in the supply chamber 47.
[0074] The float portion of the float switch 107 is configured to be movable to the vicinity
of the bottom of the supply chamber 47. The supply of reagent to the measurement section
2 is stopped when detected that the remaining amount of reagent accommodated in the
chamber is substantially zero by the float switch 107. Therefore, the air bubbles
are prevented from mixing to the reagent to be supplied to the measurement section
2 while continuing the supply of reagent to the measurement section 2 as much as possible
even if the reagent is not transferred to the supply chamber 47 for some reasons.
[0075] The supply chamber 47 is connected to the stirring chamber 46 through the electromagnetic
valve 219. The supply chamber 47 is configured so that the reagent in the chamber
can be discarded at the time of maintenance and the like by opening the electromagnetic
valve 220. The supply chamber 47 is configured so as to be opened to atmosphere on
a constant basis. The supply chamber 47 is connected to the measurement section 2
through the filter 471. The filter 471 is arranged to prevent impurities from mixing
in the reagent to be supplied to the measurement section 2.
[0076] A conductivity sensor 402 for measuring the electrical conductivity of the reagent
is arranged between the stirring chamber 46 and the supply chamber 47. The conductivity
sensor 402 includes a temperature sensor 403 for measuring the temperature of the
reagent at the position where the conductivity sensor 402 is arranged. A discard flow
path is connected between the conductivity sensor 402 and the electromagnetic valve
219 through the electromagnetic valve 221.
[0077] As shown in Fig. 1, the display unit 48 is arranged on the outer surface of the reagent
preparing device 4. The display unit 48 is configured by a touch panel liquid crystal
display.
[0078] As shown in Fig. 7, the control unit 49 includes a CPU 49a, a ROM 49b, a RAM 49c,
a communication interface 49d connected to the data processing section 3, an I/O (Input/Output)
portion 49e connected to each unit in the reagent preparing device 4, and a storage
portion 49f.
[0079] The CPU 49a can execute computer programs stored in the ROM 49b and the computer
programs loaded in the RAM 49c. The CPU 49a is configured to use the RAM 49c as a
work region when executing the computer programs. One of such computer programs is
software having a function serving as a clock. The current time by the software of
the reagent preparing device 4 and the current time by the software of the data processing
section 3 are preferably matched.
[0080] A general formula for obtaining a target value of the electrical conductivity of
the reagent is expressed with the following equation (1).
In the equation (1), Z
0 is, at 25°C, the target value (ms/cm) of the electrical conductivity of the reagent
in which the high concentration reagent and the RO water are mixed and stirred, X
is the electrical conductivity (ms/cm) of the high concentration reagent at 25°C,
Y is the electrical conductivity (ms/cm) of the RO water at 25°C, and A is the diluting
magnification (known) (25 times in the first embodiment). Here, X is a value unique
to the high concentration reagent, and is a known value obtained through experiments
and the like in advance.
[0081] The correction formula for taking into consideration the temperature of the RO water
obtained by the temperature sensor 405 and the temperature of the reagent obtained
by the temperature sensor 403 is expressed with the following equation (2).
In the equation (2), Z is, at T2°C, the target value (ms/cm) of the electrical conductivity
of the reagent in which the high concentration reagent and the RO water are mixed
and stirred, Y1 is the electrical conductivity of the RO water at T1°C, T1 is the
temperature of the RO water (°C), T2 is the temperature (°C) of the reagent in which
the high concentration reagent and the RO water are mixed and stirred, α0 is the temperature
coefficient compared with the electrical conductivity of the RO water at 25°C, and
α1 is the temperature coefficient compared with the electrical conductivity of the
reagent in which the high concentration reagent and the RO water are mixed and stirred,
at 25°C. The temperature coefficients α0 and α1 differ depending on the type and concentration
of the liquid, but are 0.02 for simplification in JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards).
[0082] The CPU 49a is configured to calculate the target value Z from equation (2). Therefore,
the CPU 49a determines the target value based on the desired diluting magnification
A (known), the detection value Y1 of the electrical conductivity of the RO water,
the measurement value T1 of the temperature of the RO water, the measurement value
T2 of the temperature of the mixed and stirred reagent, and the electrical conductivity
X (known) of the high concentration reagent.
[0083] In the first embodiment, the CPU 49a is configured to store the high concentration
reagent information such as the lot number, the pre-opening expiration date, the use
start date, the post-opening expiration date, and the like of the high concentration
reagent in the storage portion 49f. Specifically, as hereinafter described, a reagent
management list 491 is stored in the storage portion 49f, and the CPU 49a records
the high concentration reagent information in the reagent management list 491 based
on the read information by the barcode reader 50.
[0084] The CPU 49a is configured to update a reagent chamber information table 492, to be
described later, stored in the storage portion 49f when about 300 mL of high concentration
reagent or the accommodation upper limit amount of the high concentration reagent
chamber 41 is aspirated from the high concentration chamber 41 to the diaphragm pump
45a (45b) after acquiring the high concentration reagent information. The CPU 49a
is also configured to update a diluting chamber information table A493 and a diluting
chamber information table B494, to be hereinafter described, of the storage portion
49f when about 300 mL of mixed solution of the high concentration reagent and the
RO water is transferred to the diluting chambers 43 and 44. The CPU 49a is also configured
to update a stirring chamber information table 495, to be hereinafter described, of
the storage portion 49f when about 300 mL of mixed solution of the high concentration
reagent and the RO water is transferred from the diluting chamber 43 (44) to the stirring
chamber 46, and to update a supply chamber information table 496, to be hereinafter
described, of the storage portion 49f when about 300 mL of mixed solution (prepared
reagent) is transferred from the stirring chamber 46 to the supply chamber 47.
[0085] The CPU 49a is configured to accept an activation instruction and a shutdown instruction
of the reagent preparing device 4 from the user through the display unit 48 of a touch
panel type.
[0086] The communication interface 49d is configured to transmit error information to the
data processing section 3 so that the user can check the error that occurred in the
reagent preparing device 4. The error information includes information for urging
replacement of the high concentration reagent tank 5, information notifying that the
RO water is no longer supplied, and information notifying the abnormality of the negative
pressure source 61 and the positive pressure source 62.
[0087] As shown in Fig. 7, the I/O portion 49e is configured to receive signals from the
float switches 100 to 107, the air bubble sensors 400, 401, the conductivity sensor
402, and the temperature sensor 403 through each sensor circuit. The I/O portion 49e
is configured to output signals to each drive circuit to control the drive of the
electromagnetic valves 200 to 222 and the pneumatic unit 6 through each drive circuit.
The I/O portion 49e is configured to receive the signal corresponding to the instruction
of the user from the display unit 48 of the touch panel type and to output a video
signal such as image data to the display unit 48. The I/O portion 49e is configured
to receive information related to the high concentration reagent read by the barcode
reader 50.
[0088] The storage portion 49f includes a non-volatile memory, and stores the reagent management
list 491, the reagent chamber information table 492 containing information on the
high concentration reagent in the high concentration reagent chamber 41, the diluting
chamber information table A493 containing information on the high concentration reagent
in the diluting chamber 43, the diluting chamber information table B494 containing
information on the high concentration reagent in the diluting chamber 44, the stirring
chamber information table 495 containing information on the high concentration reagent
in the stirring chamber 46, and the supply chamber information table 496 containing
information on the high concentration reagent in the supply chamber 47.
[0089] The reagent management list 491 is configured to be rewritable by the CPU 49a, and
can record a maximum of 100 high concentration reagent information. If the high concentration
reagent information exceeds 100, the high concentration reagent information is sequentially
overwritten from the oldest information. The reagent chamber information table 492,
the diluting chamber information table A493, the diluting chamber information table
B494, the stirring chamber information table 495, and the supply chamber information
table 496 are configured to be rewritable by the CPU 49a, and are configured to be
updated to new information at a predetermined timing, as hereinafter described. The
reagent chamber information table 492, the diluting chamber information table A493,
the diluting chamber information table B494, and the stirring chamber information
table 495 each contain the pre-opening expiration date information of the high concentration
reagent accommodated in each chamber, and the post-opening expiration date information
of the high concentration reagent.
[0090] The supply chamber information table 496 contains the flow-in time information to
the supply chamber 47 in addition to the pre-opening expiration date information of
the high concentration reagent accommodated in the chamber and the post-opening expiration
date information of the high concentration reagent. In the first embodiment, the flow-in
time to the supply chamber 47 is the time the prepared reagent passes the conductivity
sensor 402 when being transferred from the stirring chamber 46 to the supply chamber
47. Since the reagents prepared at different times are simultaneously accommodated
in the supply chamber 47, as hereinafter described, different high concentration reagent
(high concentration reagent having different high concentration reagent information)
coexist. Specifically, the reagent newly transferred to the supply chamber 47 mixes
with the reagent remaining in the supply chamber 47 since the new reagent is supplied
when the remaining amount of the reagent in the supply chamber 47 becomes about 300
mL.
[0091] After the reagent A is transferred to the supply chamber 47, one part of the reagent
A remains in the supply chamber 47 with the reagent B to be newly transferred the
next to the supply chamber 47 even if about 300 mL of reagent in the supply chamber
47 is transferred from the supply chamber 47 to the measurement section 2. Furthermore,
even if about 300 mL (total of about 600 mL after reagent A is transferred to the
supply chamber 47) of reagent in the supply chamber 47 is transferred from the supply
chamber 47 to the measurement section 2, one part of the reagent A is assumed to remain
in the supply chamber 47 with the reagent B and the new reagent C. Furthermore, by
the time about 300 mL (total of about 900 mL after reagent A is transferred to the
supply chamber 47) of reagent in the supply chamber 47 is transferred from the supply
chamber 47 to the measurement section 2, almost all the reagent A is assumed to be
transferred from the supply chamber 47 to the measurement section 2. In other words,
the reagent A is assumed to be not remaining in the supply chamber 47 by the time
the fourth reagent D, counting from reagent A, is transferred to the supply chamber
47. Thus, in the first embodiment, the supply chamber information table 496 can record
the pre-opening expiration date information, the post-opening expiration date information,
and the flow-in time information of the most recent three reagents (three reagents
recently transferred to the supply chamber 47). Thus, the information on the different
high concentration reagent having a possibility of being accommodated in the supply
chamber 47 can be stored in the supply chamber information table 496.
[0092] As shown in Fig. 1, the barcode reader 50 is a handy type and is configured to read
a barcode 50b (see Fig. 8) of a label 50a attached to the high concentration reagent
tank 5. The barcode 50b contains information unique to each high concentration reagent
such as the lot number and the pre-opening expiration date of the high concentration
reagent.
[0093] The RO water producing unit 7 is configured so that the RO water serving as the diluting
liquid for diluting the high concentration reagent can be produced using tap water.
The RO water producing unit 7 includes an RO water storage tank 7a, a RO film 7b,
and a filter 7c for protecting the RO film 7b by removing impurities contained in
the tap water. Furthermore, the RO water producing unit 7 includes a high pressure
pump 7d for applying high pressure to the water passed through the filter 7c so that
water molecules transmit through the RO film 7b, and an electromagnetic valve 223
for controlling the supply of tap water.
[0094] The RO water storage tank 7a is arranged to store the RO water transmitted through
the RO film 7b. The RO water storage tank 7a includes a float switch 108 for detecting
that a predetermined amount of RO water is stored. The RO water storage tank 7a includes
a conductivity sensor 404 for measuring the electrical conductivity of the RO water
in the RO water storage tank 7a. The conductivity sensor 404 includes a temperature
sensor 405 for measuring the temperature of the RO water.
[0095] The RO water producing unit 7 is configured to enable to the tap water to reach the
filter 7c by opening the electromagnetic valve 222. The RO water producing unit 7
can also transmit the water passed through the filter 7c through the RO film 7b with
high pressure by driving the high pressure pump 7d. The RO water producing unit 7
is configured to accommodate a predetermined amount of RO water in the RO water storage
tank 7a based on the detection result of the float switch 108. The speed at which
the RO water is supplied to the RO water storage tank 7a by the RO water producing
unit 7, that is, the production speed of the RO water by the RO water producing unit
7 is greater than or equal to about 20 L/hour and smaller than or equal to about 50
L/hour.
[0096] The high concentration reagent information acquisition processing operation of the
reagent preparing device 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention
will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 11.
[0097] First, in step S1 of Fig. 9, whether or not the barcode 50b (see Fig. 8) of the label
50a attached to the high concentration reagent tank 5 is read by the barcode reader
50 is determined by the CPU 49a. Specifically, a reagent replacement screen 482, as
shown in Fig. 11, is displayed when a reagent replacement button 481c on a menu screen
481 (see Fig. 10) displayed in the display unit 48 is pushed by the user. Thereafter,
the user places the handy type barcode reader 50 on the barcode 50b (see Fig. 8) of
the new high concentration reagent tank 5, so that the barcode 50b is read by the
barcode reader 50. The barcode 50b shows the lot number, the pre-opening expiration
date, and the like of the high concentration reagent tank 5.
[0098] As shown in Fig. 10, the menu screen 481 displays a schematic view 481a showing the
remaining amount of the high concentration reagent, a select button 481b, a reagent
replacement button 481c, a drainage replacement button 481d, and a shutdown button
481e. As hereinafter described, the select button 481d is pushed when the user checks
various settings and various matters. The drainage replacement button 481d is pushed
when replacing a drainage tank (not shown) accommodating the drainage discarded from
the reagent preparing device 4. The shutdown button 481e is pushed when shutting down
the reagent preparing device 4. The reagent replacement screen 482 displays a notification
to stop the aspiration of the high concentration reagent, and a notification to urge
the replacement of the high concentration reagent. Furthermore, the reagent replacement
screen 482 displays an OK button 482a and a cancel button 482b. The OK button 482a
is pushed after the replacement of the high concentration reagent tank 5 is completed.
The cancel button 482b is pushed when stopping the replacement of the high concentration
reagent tank 5.
[0099] In step S1, the above determination is repeated until the barcode 50b is read by
the barcode reader 50. After the barcode 50b is read, the lot umber and the pre-opening
expiration date of the high concentration reagent are stored in the storage portion
49f based on the barcode 50b by the CPU 49a in step S2. Specifically, the lot number
and the pre-opening expiration date of the new high concentration reagent are recorded
in the reagent management list 491 of the storage portion 49f.
[0100] Thereafter, in step S3, the CPU 49a stores the date the barcode 50b is read in the
storage portion 49f as the use start date of the high concentration reagent. In other
words, the use start date of the high concentration reagent is recorded in the reagent
management list 491 of the storage portion 49f. In step S4, the CPU 49a stores the
post-opening expiration date of the high concentration reagent in the storage portion
49f. Specifically, the CPU 49a stores a period of 30 days from the use start date
(date the barcode 50b is read) of the high concentration reagent as the post-opening
expiration date. In other words, the post-opening expiration date of the high concentration
reagent is recorded in the reagent management list 491 of the storage portion 49f.
The processes from step S1 to step S4 are repeatedly executed from when the reagent
preparing device 4 is activated until shut down.
[0101] The reagent preparation processing operation of the reagent preparing device 4 according
to the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference
to Figs. 6, 12, and 13.
[0102] First, in step S11 of Fig. 12, the CPU 49a initializes the computer program stored
in the ROM 49b. In step S12, the CPU 49a determines whether or not the reagent preparing
device 4 is normally shut down at the end of the previous operation. Specifically,
determination is made based on a flag set to ON when normally shut down, as hereinafter
described. The process proceeds to step S16 if normally shut down, and the process
proceeds to step S13 if not normally shut down.
[0103] In step S13, the liquid in the chambers 42, 43, 44 and 46 other than the high concentration
reagent chamber 41 and the supply chamber 47 are all discarded. Specifically, the
electromagnetic valves 204 and 205 are opened with the electromagnetic valves 206,
207, and 208 closed by the CPU 49a to discard the RO water in the RO water chamber
42. The RO water discarded from the RO water chamber 42 may again be transferred to
the RO water producing unit 7, and new RO water may be produced from the discarded
RO water. Furthermore, the electromagnetic valves 218 and 221 are opened with the
electromagnetic valves 211, 212, 217, and 219 closed by the CPU 49a to push out the
mixed solution in the stirring chamber 46 to the discard flow path by the positive
pressure force. The electromagnetic vales 211 and 217 are then opened with the electromagnetic
valves 212, 218, 219, and 221 closed by the CPU 49a to transfer the mixed solution
in the diluting chamber 43 to the stirring chamber 46 with the negative pressure force,
and thereafter, the mixed solution is discarded from the stirring chamber 46 by the
above-described operation. The mixed solution in the diluting chamber 44 also can
be transferred to the stirring chamber 46 with the negative pressure force by opening
the electromagnetic valves 212 and 217 with the electromagnetic valves 211, 218, 219,
and 221 closed by the CPU 49a.
[0104] Therefore, the RO water having a possibility of being accumulated for a long time
is prevented from being used in the reagent preparation, and the reagent of unknown
diluting magnification is prevented from being generated by discarding all liquids
in the chambers 42, 43, 44, and 46 other than the high concentration reagent chamber
41 and the supply chamber 47 in step S13.
[0105] Thereafter, in step S14, the flow path, the RO water chamber 42, the diluting chamber
43 (44) and the stirring chamber 46 are cleaned. Specifically, about 12 mL (about
6 mL to each diaphragm pump) of RO water flows into the diaphragm pump 45a (45b) with
the negative pressure force by opening the electromagnetic valves 206, 208, and 213
(215) by the CPU 49a after the RO water newly produced in the RO water producing unit
7 is supplied to the RO water chamber 42. The electromagnetic valves 214 (216) and
209 are then opened with the electromagnetic valve 213 (215) closed, so that about
12 mL (about 6 mL to each diaphragm pump) RO water in the diaphragm pump 45a (45b)
is transferred to the diluting chamber 43 with the positive pressure force. The above
operations are repeated 25 times to supply about 300 mL of newly produced RO water
to the diluting chamber 43.
[0106] About 300 mL of RO water is then transferred from the diluting chamber 43 to the
stirring chamber 46 by opening the electromagnetic valves 211 and 217 by the CPU 49a.
The RO water in the stirring chamber 46 is discarded by opening the electromagnetic
valves 218 and 221 with the electromagnetic valves 217 and 219 closed by the CPU 49a.
[0107] While the RO water is being transferred from the diluting chamber 43 to the stirring
chamber 46, about 300 mL of newly produced RO water is supplied to the diluting chamber
44 through the operation similar to the operation of transferring to the diluting
chamber 43. The transfer of the RO water from the diluting chamber 44 to the stirring
chamber 46 is also performed through the operation similar to the operation of transferring
from the diluting chamber 43 to the stirring chamber 46. Therefore, the interior of
the flow path, the RO water chamber 42, the diluting chamber 43 (44), and the stirring
chamber 46 are cleaned with the newly produced RO water through the series of operations
described above. It is to be recognized that a predetermined amount of RO water is
already stored in the RO water chamber 42 before step S13.
[0108] In step S15, the reagent is prepared in the stirring chamber 46 through the operation
similar to the operation of preparing the reagent of desired concentration, and all
prepared reagent are discarded. Specifically, after the reagent of the desired concentration
is supplied to the stirring chamber 46 by the operations of steps S20 and S21, described
later, the reagent in the stirring chamber 46 is discarded by opening the electromagnetic
valves 218 and 221 with the electromagnetic valves 217 and 219 closed by the CPU 49a.
Thus, even if the reagent having a concentration exceeding the desired concentration
remains in the flow path, the diluting chamber 43 (44) and the stirring chamber 46,
the reagent can be suppressed from being prepared to the concentration other than
the desired concentration since cleaning is carried out with the reagent of the desired
concentration in addition to the cleaning by the RO water.
[0109] In step S16, the RO water is supplied to the RO water chamber 42. In step S17, whether
or not a predetermined amount of high concentration reagent is accommodated in the
high concentration reagent chamber 41 based on the detection result of the float switch
100 by the CPU 49a. If a predetermined amount of high concentration reagent is not
stored, the high concentration reagent is replenished from the high concentration
reagent tank 5 to the high concentration reagent chamber 41 in step S18. Specifically,
the electromagnetic valves 200 and 201 are opened with the electromagnetic valves
202 and 203 closed by the CPU 49a, so that the high concentration reagent is supplied
to the high concentration reagent chamber 41 with the negative pressure force.
[0110] If a predetermined amount of high concentration reagent is accommodated in the high
concentration reagent chamber 41, whether or not a predetermined amount of reagent
is stored in the supply chamber 47 is determined by the CPU 49a in step S19. In other
words, whether or not the reagent of greater than or equal to about 300 mL and less
than or equal to about 600 mL is stored in the supply chamber 47 is determined. The
process proceeds to step S26 if the predetermined amount of reagent is stored. If
the predetermined amount of reagent is not stored, the electromagnetic valves 218
and 219 are opened, and the reagent is transferred from the stirring chamber 46 to
the supply chamber 47. In this case, the electrical conductivity C is measured by
the conductivity sensor 402, and the temperature T2 of the regent is measured by the
temperature sensor 403.
[0111] In step S22, whether or not the electrical conductivity C is within a predetermined
range is determined by the CPU 49a. Specifically, whether or not the measured electrical
conductivity C is within the predetermined range is determined with respect to the
target value Z of the electrical conductivity at the diluting magnification of 25
times calculated by equation (2). If the electrical conductivity C is not within the
predetermined range, the electromagnetic valve 219 is closed and the electromagnetic
valve 221 is opened, and the reagent in which the electrical conductivity C is not
within the predetermined range is discarded through the discard flow path in step
S23. Only the reagent diluted at satisfactory accuracy thus can be stored in the supply
chamber 47.
[0112] In step S24, the electromagnetic valves 211 (212) and 217 are opened by the CPU 49a
to transfer the reagent in the diluting chamber 43 (44) to the stirring chamber 46
by the negative pressure force. In this case, the transferred reagent is flowed along
the inner wall of the stirring chamber 46 by the pipe 461 arranged in the stirring
chamber 46 so as to be stirred in the stirring chamber 46. Thereafter, the supply
processing operation of the high concentration reagent and the RO water is executed
in step S25.
[0113] The supply processing operation of the high concentration reagent and the RO water
in step S25 of the reagent preparation processing operation shown in Fig. 13 will
be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 14.
[0114] First, in the initial state (state immediately before reagent preparation process)
of the reagent preparing device 4, the flow paths 301 to 304 shown in Fig. 6 are substantially
filled with RO water and the flow path 300 is substantially filled with high concentration
reagent.
[0115] In step S251 of Fig. 14, about 12 mL (about 6 mL in each diaphragm pump) of RO water
is aspirated from the RO water chamber 42 by the diaphragm pumps 45a and 45b. Specifically,
the electromagnetic valves 213 (215) and 208 are opened by the CPU 49a, so that the
RO water flows into the diaphragm pump 45a (45b). In step S252, the electromagnetic
valves 214 (216) and 209 are opened after the electromagnetic valves 213 (215) and
208 are closed, so that positive pressure is supplied to the diaphragm pump 45a (45b)
and the RO water is discharged. Thus, about 12 mL (about 6 mL in each diaphragm pump)
of RO water is supplied to the diluting chamber 43 through the flow paths 301 and
303.
[0116] Thereafter, in step S253, about 12 mL (about 6 mL in each diaphragm pump) of high
concentration reagent is aspirated from the high concentration reagent chamber 41
by the diaphragm pumps 45a and 45b. Specifically, the electromagnetic valves 202,
203, and 213 (215) are opened by the CPU 49a after the electromagnetic valves 214
(216) and 209 are closed, so that the negative pressure is supplied to the diaphragm
pump 45a (45b) and the high concentration reagent is aspirated. Specifically, about
12 mL of high concentration reagent flowed out from the high concentration reagent
chamber 41 mixes with the RO water remaining in the flow path 301, and the mixed solution
of the RO water and the high concentration reagent is aspirated by the diaphragm pump
45a (45b). The mixed solution of the RO water and the high concentration reagent is
filled in the flow path 301 in this case. In other words, about 12 mL of high concentration
reagent flowed out from the high concentration reagent chamber 41 exists in a region
combining the diaphragm pump 45a (45b) and the flow path 301 in this state. The high
concentration reagent also exists in the flow path 300a, but can be substantially
ignored as the amount of high concentration reagent existing in the flow path 300a
is very small. Furthermore, at the time of aspirating the high concentration reagent
after the second reagent preparation processing operation, the high concentration
reagents remaining in the flow path 300a from the previous reagent preparation processing
operation is pushed out to the flow path 301 side, and thus about 12 mL of high concentration
reagent more accurately exists in the region combining the diaphragm pump 45a (45b)
and the flow path 301.
[0117] In step S254, the electromagnetic valves 214 (216) and 209 are opened after the electromagnetic
valves 202, 203, and 213 (215) are closed, so that positive pressure is supplied and
the mixed solution of RO water and high concentration reagent is discharged from the
diaphragm pump 45a (45b). Thus, the mixed solution of RO water and high concentration
reagent is supplied to the diluting chamber 43 through the flow paths 301 and 303.
In this case, a few mL of high concentration reagent remains mixed with the RO water
in the flow paths 301 and 303.
[0118] In step S255, n=1 is set by the CPU 49a. Here, n is the number of discharging of
the RO water by the diaphragm pumps 45a and 45b, and is defined with a real number
starting from 1. In step S256, about 12 mL of RO water is aspirated from the RO water
chamber 42 by the diaphragm pumps 45a and 45b, similar to step S251. Similar to step
S252, in step S257, the RO water is discharged from the diaphragm pumps 45a and 45b.
Thus, the high concentration reagent remaining in the flow paths 301 and 303 is transferred
to the diluting chamber 43 with the RO water.
[0119] Thereafter, in step S258, whether or not n is greater than 22 is determined by the
CPU 49a. If n is not greater than 22, n=n+1 is set in step S259, and the operations
of steps S256 to S259 are repeated until n becomes greater than 22. In other words,
the operations of steps S256 to S259 are repeated until the aspiration and discharge
operation of the RO water are performed 24 times with respect to one aspiration and
discharge operation of the high concentration reagent by the diaphragm pumps 45a and
45b. The operation is terminated when n is greater than 22. Thus, about 12 mL × 24
times = about 288 mL of RO water and about 12 mL × 1 time = about 12 mL of high concentration
reagent, or the mixed solution of about 288 mL + about 12 mL = about 300 mL is supplied
to the diluting chamber 43. After the aspiration and discharge operation of the high
concentration reagent by the diaphragm pumps 45a and 45b, the aspiration and discharge
operation of the RO Water is performed 23 times, and thus the high concentration reagent
remaining in the flow paths 301 and 303 are all transferred to the diluting chamber
43, and only the RO water consequently exists in the flow paths 301 and 303.
[0120] In the above operation, if the electromagnetic valve 210 is driven in place of the
electromagnetic valve 209, about 300 mL of mixed solution containing about 288 mL
of RO water and about 12 mL of high concentration reagent can be transferred to the
diluting chamber 44.
[0121] After the supply process of the high concentration reagent and the RO water is performed
in step S25 of Fig. 13, whether a reagent supply instruction from the measurement
section 2 transmitted through the data processing section 3 is made is determined
by the CPU 49a in step S26, where the process proceeds to step S28 if the instruction
is not made. If the reagent supply instruction is made, the reagent in the supply
chamber 47 is transferred to the measurement section 2 through the filter 471 by the
negative pressure force supplied from the measurement section 2 in step S27. The presence
of shutdown instruction from the user is then determined by the CPU 49a in step S28,
where the process proceeds to step S16 if the instruction is not made. The reagent
to be transferred to the supply chamber 47 is discontinuously prepared, and the reagents
prepared at different times are simultaneously stored in the supply chamber 47 by
the operations of steps S19 to S25.
[0122] If the shutdown instruction is made, the above operation is continued until the reagent
in the middle of the preparation is ultimately transferred to the supply chamber 47
in step S29. Specifically, since the reagent preparation is continued by the operation
of steps S19 to S25, the reagent diluted to a concentration different from the desired
concentration remains in the flow path, the diluting chamber 43 (44) and the stirring
chamber 46 if the operation is stopped in the middle of preparation. Thus, the reagent
diluted to a concentration different from the desired concentration is prevented from
remaining in the flow path, the diluting chamber 43 (44), and the stirring chamber
46 by continuing the preparation operation in step S29.
[0123] In step S30, the shutdown is executed. In this case, the RO water is discharged from
the RO water chamber 42. The RO water is thus prevented from being accumulated in
the RO water chamber 42 until the reagent preparing device 4 is activated at the next
time. Thereafter, in step S31, the flag indicating that the shutdown is normally performed
is set to ON, and the reagent preparation processing operation is terminated. The
reagent preparation process shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the updating process of the
reagent chamber information table 492, to be hereinafter described, shown in Fig.
15, and the updating process of the diluting chamber information table A493, the diluting
chamber information table B494, the stirring chamber information table 495, and the
supply chamber information table 496, to be hereinafter described, shown in Fig. 16
are continuously executed in parallel while the reagent preparing device 4 is operating
by the CPU 49a.
[0124] The update processing operation of the reagent chamber information table of the reagent
preparing device 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will
now be described with reference to Fig. 15.
[0125] First, in step S41, whether or not the high concentration reagent information is
acquired is determined by the CPU 49a. Specifically, the CPU 49a determines whether
or not the pre-opening expiration date, the post-opening expiration date information,
and the like are acquired by the high concentration reagent information acquisition
processing operation of the reagent preparing device 4 shown in Fig. 9. The CPU 49a
repeats the determination until the high concentration reagent information is acquired,
and when the high concentration reagent information is acquired, the CPU 49a determines
whether or not about 300 mL of high concentration reagent, or accommodation upper
limit amount of the high concentration reagent chamber 41, is aspirated by the diaphragm
pump 45a (45b) after acquiring the high concentration reagent information in step
S42. Specifically, about 12 mL (about 6 mL with each pump) of high concentration reagent
is aspirated by one aspirating operation of the diaphragm pump 45a (45b). Therefore,
if the aspirating operation is performed 25 times to aspirate the high concentration
reagent by the diaphragm pump 45a (45b), about 300 mL (about 12 mL × 25 times = about
300 mL) of high concentration reagent is aspirated from the high concentration reagent
chamber 41. Thus, after the high concentration reagent information is acquired by
the CPU 49a, whether or not the aspirating operation is performed 25 times by the
diaphragm pump 45a (45b) to aspirate the high concentration reagent from the high
concentration reagent chamber 41 is determined to determine whether or not about 300
mL of high concentration reagent is aspirated from the high concentration reagent
chamber 41 after acquiring the high concentration reagent information.
[0126] The CPU 49a repeats the determination until about 300 mL of high concentration reagent
is aspirated from the high concentration reagent chamber 41 after acquiring the high
concentration reagent information, and the process proceeds to step S43 when about
300 mL of high concentration reagent is aspirated. In step S43, the CPU 49a updates
the reagent chamber information table 492. Specifically, the CPU 49a updates the reagent
chamber information table 492 of the storage portion 49f based on the pre-opening
expiration date information and the post-opening expiration date information acquired
by the high concentration reagent information acquisition processing operation shown
in Fig. 9 and recorded in the reagent management list 491 of the storage portion 49f.
More specifically, the CPU 49a rewrites the pre-opening expiration date information
and the post-opening expiration date information of the reagent chamber information
table 492 to the information of the same content as the most recent (immediate) pre-opening
expiration date information and the post-opening expiration date information recorded
in the reagent management list 491.
[0127] Therefore, after the high concentration reagent information is acquired, that is,
after the high concentration reagent tank 5 is replaced, about 300 mL of high concentration
reagent is aspirated from the high concentration reagent chamber 41, and the reagent
chamber information table 492 is thereafter updated so that the reagent chamber information
table 492 is updated after substantially all old high concentration reagent of before
the replacement is aspirated from the high concentration reagent chamber 41, and thus
a more stricter management in terms of expiration date can be performed compared to
when updating the reagent chamber information table 492 immediately after replacing
the high concentration reagent tank 5.
[0128] The update processing operation of the diluting chamber information table A(B), the
stirring chamber information table, and the supply chamber information table of the
reagent preparing device 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention
will now be described with reference to Fig. 16.
[0129] The update processing operation starts when the reagent in the stirring chamber 46
passes the conductivity sensor 402 and the electrical conductivity C of the reagent
is within a predetermined range. In step S51, the CPU 49a updates the supply chamber
information table 496 of the storage portion 49f. Specifically, the CPU 49a records
the information on the reagent passed through the conductivity sensor 402 and supplied
to the supply chamber 47 this time in the supply chamber information table 496 in
place of the oldest information of the information on the most recent three reagents
(three reagents transferred to the supply chamber 47 immediately before) recorded
in the supply chamber information table 496. In this case, the newly recorded pre-opening
expiration date information and the post-opening expiration date information respectively
have the same content as the pre-opening expiration date information and the post-opening
expiration date information of the stirring chamber information table 495 at the current
time point. The flow-in time information newly recorded in this case is the time at
which the reagent to be transferred to the supply chamber 47 this time passed through
the conductivity sensor 402.
[0130] Subsequently, in step S52, whether or not the transfer of a mixed solution to the
stirring chamber 46 is completed is determined by the CPU 49a. Specifically, when
the reagent is transferred from the stirring chamber 46 to the supply chamber 47,
and the float portion of the float switch 105 in the stirring chamber 46 reaches the
lower limit and the chamber becomes empty, about 300 mL of mixed solution is supplied
from either diluting chamber 43 or 44 to the stirring chamber 46. The CPU 49a determines
whether or not about 300 mL of mixed solution is transferred from either diluting
chamber 43 or 44 to the stirring chamber 46.
[0131] This determination is repeated until the transfer of about 300 mL of mixed solution
to the stirring chamber 46 is completed, and when the transfer is completed, the CPU
49a updates the stirring chamber information table 495 in step S53. Specifically,
the CPU 49a updates the pre-opening expiration date information and the post-opening
expiration date information of the stirring chamber information table 495 to the information
of the same content as the pre-opening expiration date information and the post-opening
expiration date information of the diluting chamber information table A493 (diluting
chamber information table B494) at the current time point corresponding to the diluting
chamber 43 (44) or the supply source of the mixed solution.
[0132] Thereafter, in step S54, whether or not the transfer of the mixed solution to the
diluting chamber 43 (44) that supplied the mixed solution to the stirring chamber
46 is completed is determined by the CPU 49a. Specifically, when the mixed solution
is transferred from the diluting chamber 43 (44) to the stirring chamber 46, and the
float portion of the float switch 103 (104) in the diluting chamber 43 (44) reaches
the lower limit and the chamber becomes empty, about 300 mL of mixed solution (about
12 mL of high concentration reagent and about 288 mL of RO water) is supplied to the
empty diluting chamber 43 (44) by the diaphragm pump 45a (45b). The CPU 49a determines
whether or not about 300 mL of mixed solution is transferred to the diluting chamber
43 (44) by the supply processing operation of the high concentration reagent and the
RO water shown in Fig. 14.
[0133] This determination is repeated until the transfer of about 300 mL of mixed solution
to the empty diluting chamber 43 (44) is completed, and when the transfer is completed,
the CPU 49a updates the diluting chamber information table A493 (diluting chamber
information table B494) corresponding to the diluting chamber 43 (44) in which transfer
of the mixed solution is completed in step S55. Specifically, the CPU 49a updates
the pre-opening expiration date information and the post-opening expiration date information
of the diluting chamber information table A493 (diluting chamber information table
B494) to the information of the same content as the pre-opening expiration date information
and the post-opening expiration date information of the reagent chamber information
table 492 at the current time point.
[0134] An expiration date monitor processing operation of the reagent preparing device 4
according to the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with
reference to Fig. 17.
[0135] The expiration date monitor processing operation is executed when the reagent preparing
device 4 first performs the preparing operation after change of date. First, in step
S61, the CPU 49a determines whether or not the reagent in the supply chamber 47 is
within the expiration date based on the supply chamber information table 496. Specifically,
the CPU 49a selects the oldest expiration date of the pre-opening expiration date
information and the post-opening expiration date information of the information on
three reagents recorded in the supply chamber information table 496, and determines
whether the selected oldest expiration date is older than the current date. In other
words, the CPU 49a determines whether the expiration date of the reagent having the
oldest expiration date is no longer valid of the reagents having a possibility of
being stored in the supply chamber 47. Whether or not supply of reagent to the measurement
section 2 is possible is then determined. If the expiration date of the reagent in
the supply chamber 47 is still valid, the expiration date monitor processing operation
is terminated as is.
[0136] If the expiration date of the reagent with the oldest expiration date in the supply
chamber 47 is not valid, the CPU 49a discards the reagent in the supply chamber 47
in step S62. Specifically, the electromagnetic valve 220 is opened and the reagent
in the supply chamber 47 is discharged to the discard flow path by the CPU 49a.
[0137] Thereafter, in step S63, the CPU 49a determines whether or not the reagent in the
stirring chamber 46 is within the expiration date based on the stirring chamber information
table 495. Specifically, the CPU 49a determines whether or not the pre-opening expiration
date information and the post-opening expiration date information of the stirring
chamber information table 495 are both within the expiration date. If the pre-opening
expiration date information and the post-opening expiration date information are both
within the expiration date, the CPU 49a transfers the reagent in the stirring chamber
46 to the supply chamber 47 in step S64. Specifically, the CPU 49a opens the electromagnetic
valves 218 and 219, and pushes out the reagent in the stirring chamber 46 with the
positive pressure force. In this case, the reagent in the supply chamber 47 is already
discarded in step S62 even if the reagent in the supply chamber 47 cannot be supplied
to the measurement section 2, and thus the mixed solution transferred from the stirring
chamber 46 to the supply chamber 47 is prevented from mixing with the reagent in the
supply chamber 47 to be discarded. If either the pre-opening expiration date information
or the post-opening expiration date information is expired, the CPU 49a opens the
electromagnetic valves 218 and 221 to discharge the reagent in the stirring chamber
46 to the discard flow path in step S65.
[0138] In step S66, the CPU 49a determines whether or not the reagents in the diluting chambers
43 and 44 are respectively within the expiration date based on the diluting chamber
information table 493A and the diluting chamber information table 493B. Specifically,
the CPU 49a determines whether or not the pre-opening expiration date information
and the post-opening expiration date information of the diluting chamber information
table 493A (diluting chamber information table 493B) are both within the expiration
date. If the pre-opening expiration date information and the post-opening expiration
date information on the reagent in the diluting chamber 43 (44) are both within the
expiration date, the CPU 49a transfers the mixed solution in the diluting chamber
43 (44) to the stirring chamber 46 in step S67. Specifically, the CPU 49a opens the
electromagnetic valves 211 (212) and 217, and aspirates the reagent in the diluting
chamber 43 (44) with the negative pressure force. If either the pre-opening expiration
date information or the post-opening expiration date information is expired, the CPU
49a transfers the mixed solution from the diluting chamber 43 (44) to the stirring
chamber 46 and discharges the mixed solution from the stirring chamber 46 to the discard
flow path through the electromagnetic valve 221 in step S68. The CPU 49a makes the
determination separately for the reagents in the diluting chambers 43 and 44, respectively.
[0139] In step S69, the CPU 49a determines whether or not the high concentration reagent
in the high concentration reagent chamber 41 is within the expiration date based on
the reagent chamber information table 492. Specifically, the CPU 49a determines whether
within the expiration date for both the pre-opening expiration date information and
the post-opening expiration date information of the reagent chamber information table
492. Whether or not the high concentration reagent in the high concentration reagent
chamber 41 can be used to prepare the reagent is then determined. If both the pre-opening
expiration date information and the post-opening expiration date information of the
high concentration reagent in the high concentration reagent chamber 41 are within
the expiration date, the CPU 49a drives the diaphragm pump 45a (45b) and transfers
the high concentration reagent in the high concentration reagent chamber 41 and the
RO water in the RO water chamber 42 to the diluting chamber 43 (44) in step S70. If
either the pre-opening expiration date information or the post-opening expiration
date information is expired, the CPU 49a opens the electromagnetic valves 202 and
222, and discharges the high concentration reagent from the high concentration reagent
chamber 41 to the discard flow path in step S71.
[0140] The RO water automatic discharge processing operation according to the first embodiment
of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 18. The
processes of steps S81 to S87 shown in Fig. 18 are continuously executed in parallel
with the reagent preparation processing operation shown in Figs. 12 and 13 from when
the reagent preparing device 4 is activated until shut down.
[0141] First, in step S81 of Fig. 18, whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied
is determined by the CPU 49a. Specifically, whether or not the following three conditions
are all satisfied is determined. The first condition is that the two diluting chambers
43 and 44 shown in Fig. 6 are both filled with about 300 mL of mixed solution; the
second condition is that the stirring chamber 46 is filled with about 300 mL of mixed
solution, and the third condition is that the supply chamber 47 is stored with greater
than or equal to about 300 mL and less than or equal to about 600 mL of reagent of
the desired concentration. If all three conditions are satisfied, a new reagent preparation
process is not required, and thus the RO water is accumulated in the RO water chamber
42 without the RO water in the RO water chamber 42 being used. In other words, determination
is made that the RO water in the RO water chamber 42 is no longer used by determining
whether all three conditions are satisfied by the CPU 49a.
[0142] If all three conditions are satisfied (i.e., if RO water in the RO water chamber
42 is no longer used), whether or not timing started is determined by the CPU 49a
in step S82, and the process proceeds to step S84 if timing is already started. If
timing is not started, the timing is started in step S83. Thereafter, whether or not
eight hours have elapsed from the start of timing is determined in step S84, and the
process returns to step S81 if eight hours have not elapsed.
[0143] If eight hours have elapsed from the start of timing, the RO water in the RO water
chamber 42 is discarded in step S85. Specifically, the RO water in the chamber is
pushed out to the discard flow path with the positive pressure force by opening the
electromagnetic valves 204 and 205 with the electromagnetic valves 206, 207, and 208
closed by the CPU 49a. The RO water accumulated in the RO water chamber 42 for a long
time (eight hours) thus can be discarded. The RO water discarded from the RO water
chamber 42 may again be transferred to the RO water producing unit 7, and new RO water
may be produced from the discarded RO water. After all RO water in the RO water chamber
42 is discarded, the electromagnetic valves 204, 205, and 208 are closed and the electromagnetic
valves 206 and 207 are opened by the CPU 49a in step S86, so that the RO water newly
produced in the RO water producing unit 7 is supplied to the RO water chamber 42.
[0144] If at least one condition of the three conditions is not satisfied in step S81, the
timing is reset in step S87, and the process returns to step S81. Since the RO water
in the RO water chamber 42 is discarded when accumulated for a long time (eight hours)
by the RO water automatic discharge processing operation, the expiration date does
not need to be monitored.
[0145] In the first embodiment, determination can be made that the prepared reagent that
is not suited for analysis in terms of expiration date cannot be supplied to the measurement
section 2 by configuring the CPU 49a so as to determine whether or not the prepared
reagent stored in the supply chamber 47 can be supplied to the measurement section
2 based on the pre-opening expiration date information and the post-opening expiration
date information of the high concentration reagent recorded in the supply chamber
information table 496, and thus the prepared reagent that is not suited for analysis
in terms of expiration date can be prevented from being supplied to the measurement
section 2.
[0146] In the first embodiment, the conductivity sensor 402 for detecting the flow to reagent
to the supply chamber 47 is arranged, and the CPU 49a is configured to update the
supply chamber information table 496 stored in the storage portion 49f when the flow
of reagent to the supply chamber 47 is detected by the conductivity sensor 402, and
thus the supply chamber information table 496 is updated every time the reagent flows
into the supply chamber 47, and whether or not the prepared reagent stored in the
supply chamber 47 can be supplied to the measurement section 2 can be determined based
on the most recent expiration date information.
[0147] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the reagents prepared at different times are
simultaneously stored in the supply chamber 47 and the expiration date information
for three reagents are recorded in the supply chamber information table 496 of the
storage portion 49f, and the CPU 49a is configured to select the oldest expiration
date of the pre-opening expiration date information and the post-opening expiration
date information of the expiration date information for three reagents and determine
whether or not the prepared reagent stored in the supply chamber 47 can be supplied
to the measurement section 2 based on the selected oldest expiration date, and hence
whether or not the prepared reagent stored in the supply chamber 47 can be supplied
to the measurement section 2 can be supplied to the measurement section 2 can be determined
based on the oldest expiration date information of the reagent in the supply chamber
47 even if the reagents prepared at different times are stored in the supply chamber
47, and the prepared reagent that is not suited for analysis in terms of expiration
date is accurately prevented from being supplied to the measurement section 2 even
when the reagents prepared at different times are stored in the supply chamber 47.
[0148] In the first embodiment, the CPU 49a is configured to determine whether or not the
mixed solution stored in the stirring chamber 46 can be supplied to the supply chamber
47 based on the stirring chamber information table 495, and control the electromagnetic
valves 218 and 221 to discard the mixed solution stored in the stirring chamber 46
when determined as not suppliable, and thus the mixed solution before preparation
that is not suited for analysis in terms of expiration date can be prevented from
being supplied to the supply chamber 47 since the mixed solution before preparation
determined as not suppliable is discarded from the stirring chamber 46.
[0149] In the first embodiment, the CPU 49a is configured to supply the mixed solution from
the stirring chamber 46 to the supply chamber 47 after the prepared reagent stored
in the supply chamber 47 is discarded when determined that the prepared reagent in
the supply chamber 47 cannot be supplied to the measurement section 2 and determined
that the mixed solution in the stirring chamber 46 can be supplied to the stirring
chamber 46, and thus the mixed solution before preparation in the stirring chamber
46 that does not have any problems in terms of expiration date can be supplied to
the supply chamber 47 after the prepared reagent in the supply chamber 47 that is
not suited for analysis in terms of expiration date is discarded, and the prepared
reagent that is not suited for analysis in terms of expiration date and the mixed
solution before preparation that does not have any problems in terms of expiration
date are prevented from being mixed in the supply chamber 47 and become unsuited for
analysis in terms of expiration date as a whole. The mixed solution before preparation
in the stirring chamber 46 that does not have any problems in terms of expiration
date is thereby suppressed from becoming a waste.
[0150] In the first embodiment, the CPU 49a is configured to determine whether or not the
high concentration reagent in the high concentration reagent chamber 41 can be used
to prepare the reagent based on the reagent chamber information table 492, and control
the electromagnetic valves 202 and 222 to discard the high concentration reagent in
the high concentration reagent chamber 41 when determined that the high concentration
reagent in the high concentration reagent chamber 41 cannot be used to prepare the
reagent, and thus the high concentration reagent that is not suited for preparation
of reagent in terms of expiration date can be discarded and the high concentration
reagent that is not suited for preparation of reagent in terms of expiration date
is prevented from being used to prepare the reagent.
(Second embodiment)
[0151] A second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 19 and 20. In the second
embodiment, a reagent preparing device 500 interiorly including the RO water producing
unit 7 will be described, different from the first embodiment.
[0152] As shown in Fig. 19, the blood specimen processing system 1 is configured by the
measurement section 2 having a function of measuring blood, the data processing section
3 for analyzing the measurement data output from the measurement section 2 and obtaining
an analysis result, and the reagent preparing device 500 for preparing a reagent to
be used in the processing of specimens.
[0153] As shown in Figs. 19 and 20, in the second embodiment, the reagent preparing device
500 is configured to prepare the reagent to be used in blood analysis by diluting
the high concentration reagent to a desired concentration using the RO water produced
by the interiorly arranged RO water producing unit 7.
[0154] The reagent preparing device 500 does not include a display unit, as opposed to the
first embodiment. Thus, the user activates and shuts down the reagent preparing device
4 using the input device 33 of the data processing section 3.
[0155] Other structures of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.
[0156] In the second embodiment, the configuration of the entire blood specimen processing
system 1 can be facilitated by arranging the RO water producing unit 7 inside the
reagent preparing device 500.
[0157] Other effects of the second embodiment are similar to the first embodiment.
[0158] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all aspects and should not be
construed as being exclusive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the
Claims rather than by the description of the embodiments made above, and all modifications
equivalent in meaning to the Claims and within the scope of the Claims are to be encompassed.
[0159] For instance, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, an example of discarding
the RO water from the RO water chamber when the RO water is accumulated for a long
time (eight hours) with timing the accumulation time of the RO water has been described,
but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the expiration date of the RO
water in the RO water chamber may be monitored and the RO water may be discarded from
the RO water chamber when expired without timing the accumulation time of the RO water.
[0160] In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, an example of a configuration
of preparing the reagent from the high concentration reagent and the RO water by the
reagent preparing device has been described, but the present invention is not limited
thereto, and a configuration of preparing the reagent from a plurality of different
types of liquids other than the high concentration reagent and the RO water by the
reagent preparing device may be adopted.
[0161] In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, an example of configuring the
supply chamber information table to record the pre-opening expiration date information,
the post-opening expiration date information, and the flow-in time information for
the three most recent reagents (three reagents transferred to the supply chamber immediately
before), but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the supply chamber
information table may be configured to record the pre-opening expiration date information,
the post-opening expiration date information and the flow-in time information of less
than three reagents or more than three reagents. In this case, whether or not the
reagent can be supplied to the measurement section can be determined with conditions
stricter according to the expiration date the greater the recordable number.
[0162] In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the supply chamber information
table is updated by the CPU when the reagent passes the conductivity sensor and the
electrical conductivity C of the reagent is within a predetermined range, but the
present invention is not limited thereto, and determination may be made that the new
reagent is supplied to the supply chamber based on the detection result of the float
switch in the supply chamber by the CPU, and the supply chamber information table
may be updated when determined that the reagent is supplied.
[0163] In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the CPU determines whether the
aspirating operation is performed 25 times by the diaphragm pump to aspirate the high
concentration reagent from the high concentration reagent chamber after replacing
the high concentration reagent tank and acquiring the high concentration reagent information,
and updates the reagent chamber information table when the aspirating operation is
performed 25 times, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and all high
concentration reagents in the high concentration reagent chamber may be discarded
when the high concentration reagent information is acquired, and thereafter, the new
high concentration reagent may be supplied to the high concentration reagent chamber
and the reagent chamber information table may be updated.
[0164] In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the reagent preparing device for
monitoring the pre-opening expiration date and the post-opening expiration date of
the high concentration reagent has been described, but the present invention is not
limited thereto, and the elapsed time from the preparation of the reagent stored in
the supply chamber 47 may be monitored and the reagent stored in the supply chamber
47 may be discarded regardless of the pre-opening expiration date and the post-opening
expiration date of the high concentration reagent when the elapsed time exceeds a
predetermined expiration date.
[0165] In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the reagent preparing device for
monitoring the pre-opening expiration date and the post-opening expiration date of
the high concentration reagent, and automatically discarding the reagent stored in
the supply chamber 47 when the expiration date is exceeded has been described, but
the present invention is not limited thereto, and a warning may be displayed on the
display unit 48 and the reagent stored in the supply chamber 47 may be manually discharged
by the user when the expiration date is exceeded.
[0166] Furthermore, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the pre-opening expiration
date is stored in the storage portion 49f based on the barcode 50b, but the input
from the user of the reagent preparing device may be accepted through the display
unit 32, and stored in the storage portion 49f.
[0167] In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the reagent preparing device installed
separate from the measurement section has been described as one example of the reagent
preparing device, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it may be
a reagent preparing device arranged in the measurement section and having a function
of a reagent preparing mechanism, as shown in Fig. 21. The measurement section (device)
equipped with the reagent preparing mechanism includes blood cell counting device,
immune measurement device, and smear producing device, but is particularly suited
to the blood cell counting device in which the usage amount of the diluting liquid
is large.